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The man whose name]

ZECHARIAH.

them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. 9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

CHAP. VI.

[is The Branch 12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon throne; and he shall be a priest up his throne and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

14 And the crowns shall be to He lem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah. and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, fr a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

15 And they that are far off the come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you And this shall come to pass, if yeTM diligently obey the voice of the La your God. (F)

EXPOSITION.

(F) A vision of four chariots, and a prophecy of the glory of Messiah.-The mountains of brass from which these chariots issued, are supposed to be indicative of the divine counsels and decrees, brass being the emblem both of strength and splendour. The first vision of this Prophet exhibited single horses, rode by spiritual beings: here they are yoked together in chariots, but they are said, like the former, to be sent forth into all the earth, in different directions, according to the orders of the great Supreme. These are usually explained in reference to the four great monarchies in Daniel. (chap. ii. and vii.) The red horses are supposed to represent the Assyrian Empire; but as this was now destroyed, these are named only and retire. "The black horses" says Abp. Newcome 66 seem to denote the Persian Empire, which, by subduing the Chaldeans, and

being about to inflict a second heavy che tisement on Babylon, quieted God's spe with regard to Chaldea; a country always spoken of as lying to the north of t Jews. The white horses seem to be Macedonian Empire; which, like th Persian, overcame Chaldea. The sport bay (or brown) horses seem to be t Roman, "from the variety in its forms government." These went into the country, as far as Egypt and other part of Africa.

The subsequent vision, in the close this chapter, is evidently a typical pre tion. The Prophet is directed to go some of the principal persons who returned from the captivity, and tas from the sacred treasury sufficient and silver to make crowns or diade probably of different forms, the princip of which were to be placed on the head Joshua the high priest, as a type of

NOTES.

Ver. 11. Set them upon the head of Joshua-this name, it is well known, means, in Hebrew, a Saviour, as Jesus does in Greek. It is evident our translators understood that more than one crown was placed on the head of Joshua, and we should surmise, that both the priestly mitre and the temporal diadem were placed on the head of the type; not only to signify the union of the two offices, but, as Bp. Chandler suggests, to avoid exciting the jealousy of the Pagan sovereigns, as Zerubbabel was then chief of the house of David. (Def. of Christ., p. 244.)

Ver. 12. The branch.-See Hag. ii. 21-23. The

learned prelate just cited shows, that the R both in the Targum and elsewhere, ascribe £30 to Messiah. (Def. p. 246-250.) He she up out of his place-Marg. "Branch from cale him;" Newcome, "Branch out from his prac

Ver. 13. Them both - Newcome, The some divines (as Witsius, &c.) refer this to the P ther and Son: but we think it rather r union of these offices in Christ. So Cara*** Poole, &c.

Ver. 14. The crowns shall be to Him These crowns were not to be worn, but to up in the temple, as memorials only.

Enquiries]

CHAP. VII.

CHAP. VII.

AND it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

2 When they had sent unto the house of God, Sherezer and Regem melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD;

3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,

ye

5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD háth cried by the

[as to fasting.

former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when

men inhabited the south and the plain?

8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,

9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

14 But I scattered them with a

EXPOSITION.

Messiah, of whom it is said, "Behold the man whose name is the BRANCH; and he shall branch up out of his place; and be shall build the (true) temple of the Lord," that is, the Christian Church, and "he shall bear the glory." It is added, "he shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." As applied to the type, this indicates the harmony between Joshua and Zerubbabel, the high priest and secular Governor. As, however, the latter had no coercive power, and the influence of Joshua

as high-priest must have been considerable, with him the authority must chiefly have rested, and on his head probably was a double crown. (See Note.) In the antitype, however, we know that both the offices (the kingly and the priestly) are harmoniously united. That Messiah, who is the foundation of his church, is also the topstone thereof (the Omega as well as Alpha)-and when the building shall be completed with shoutings of "Grace! Grace!" unto it,-then "He shall bear the glory."

NOTES.

CHAP. VII. Ver. 2. To pray before the LordHeb. "To entreat the face of the Lord;" doubtless by offering sacrifices on the altar.

Ver. 3,5. Should I weep ?—that is, keep the feast, in the 5th month, when the temple was destroyed. 2 Kings xxv. 8-10.Seventh month-when Gedaliah was murdered. 2 Kings xxv. 25, 26.

Ver. 6. Did ye not eat, &c. for yourselves.-The last words, though not in the original, are evidently implied. When they fasted, they had not reformed, Isa, Iviii. 5; and when they feasted, it was to regale themselves, and not to rejoice in the Lord. Ver.7. By (Heb. "by the hand of") the former

prophets-so ver. 12.-When men inhabited the south.-See Obad. 9, and Note.

Ver. 9. True judgment-Heb. "The judgment of truth."

Ver. 11. They pulled away the shoulder-Heb. "Gave a withdrawing shoulder;" like a refractory heifer, refusing the yoke. See Neh. ix. 29.They stopped their ears-Heb. "Made their ears heavy." Ver. 12. As an adamant-stone — totally unfeeling and insensible.

Ver. 14. With a whirlwind-that is, all manner of ways. Pleasant land-Heb. "Land of desire."

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[to rebuild Jerusalem,

8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that her

AGAIN the word of the LORD of in these days these words by the moth

hosts came to me, saying,

2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.

3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth: and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain.

4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.

5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

6 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.

7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;

CHAP. VII.

of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out, or came in, because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.

11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and ! will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

13 And it shall come to pass that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith

EXPOSITION.

(G) Judgment and mercy far preferable to ritual observances.-A deputation being sent from the Jews who still remained at Babylon, to seek the Lord, and to enquire of the Priests and Prophets at Jerusalem, whether they were still bound to observe those fasts which had been appointed on occasion of the destruction of Jerusalem, and kept during the captivity, the Prophet is commanded to take this opportunity of enforcing upon them the weightier matters

of the law, judgment and mercy; and to caution them that they might not incur such calamities as befel their fathers. He intimates withal, that in their former fasts they had regarded themselves more than God; and that they rested too much on the performance of external rites, although all the Prophets had largely insisted on the superior excellence of moral duties:

duties, however, which must always be regarded in connection with the authority by which they are enjoined "Thou shalt delight thyself in the Lord!" (Is.lviii. 14.)

NOTES.

CHAP. VIII. Ver. 4. For very age—Heb. “For multitude of days."

Ver. 6. If it be marvellous - Marg. "Difficult."

So next member of the sentence.

Ver. 7. From the west country-Heb. " From the country of the going down of the sun."

Ver. 10. There was no hire for man, &c.—that is, no agricultural employment for the poor.

Ver. 12. The seed shall be prosperous - Beb. "Peace," in which the Jews include every blessing. Ver. 16. Execute the judgment, &c.-Heb. “Trot, and the judgment of peace, judge."

and exhortations]

CHAP. IX.

the LORD of hosts, and I repented

not:

15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour and love no false oath for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

18 And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,

19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; the fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:

CHAP. VIII.

[to obedience. 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (H)

CHAP. IX.

THE burden of the word of the

LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.

2 And Hamath also shall border

EXPOSITION.

(H) Prophetic assurances of the restoration of Israel, with great additions from the Gentiles.-God's zeal on the behalf of his people operates in two ways; first, in the reproof and punishment of enemies, who had taken advantage of their depressed situation under divine chastisement, (see chap. i. 14, 15); and, secondly, as it respects his people, in promoting their interest and prosperity, so long as they live in obedience to his commands. In the chapter before us, the Lord promises increase of population; health, and length of days; success in all their labours; favourable treatment from the surrounding nations, who had formerly oppressed them; and, eventually, a large accession from them. The consequence of their prosperity should not be envy (as often is the

66 ten men

case), but a desire of others to unite with them in their holy festivities and devotions. "In those days," as Abp. Newcome renders the concluding verse, shall take hold, from all the languages of the nations; they shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying,

We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you.""" To take hold of another's skirt," observes the learned Prelate just quoted, "is a gesture naturally used to entreat assistance and protection. This and the three foregoing verses refer to the great accession of converts which the Jewish church received between the captivity and the coming of Christ; to the number of Christian disciples which the first preachers made, and to the future conversions, of which the restoration of the Jews will be an eminent mean.

NOTES.

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CHAP. IX. Ver. 1. In (or on) the land of Hadrack-a place near, or in, the valley of Damascus. Newcome. When the eyes, &c.-" I cannot conceive how these words can be made to signify the eyes of Jehovah over man,' as represented by Houbigant and the ancient versions. The order of the words leads plainly to our present English translation. And this implies that a time would come, when men, and the tribes of Israel in particular,

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the streets.

4 Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.

:

[and Messiah promis

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; y and riding upon an ass, and uph colt the foal of an ass.

unte

10 And I will cut off the char from Ephraim, and the horse from Je rusalem, and the battle-bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

11 As for thee also, by the blood d thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is a water.

12 Turn you to the strong hold, prisoners of hope: even to day del declare that I will render double unt thee;

13 When I have bent Judah far me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord Gop shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

NOTES-Chap. IX. Con.

should turn their eyes toward Jehovah, either in hope of deriving some blessings from him, or in gratitude for favours received." Dr. Blayney. These words should, however, be read in parenthesis, as in Newcome.

Ver. 2. Shall border thereby — or thereon. Abp. Newcome supplies the preposition on (from ver. 1.) to the other places named in this verse.— -Though it (or she) be very wise.-See Ezek. xxviii. 2-5.

Ver. 3. As the mire. Many towns in the East are built with bricks dried only in the sun; and Maundrell says, that "upon a violent rain at Damascus, the whole city becomes, by the washing of the houses, as it were a quagmire." Harmer, vol.i. p. 170.

Ver. 4. Power in the sea. See Ezek. xxvi. 17. "The Sidonians (according to Diodorus Siculus), on the approach of an army, sent against them by Ochus, king of Persia, first of all destroyed their shipping at sea; and then, retiring within the walls of their city, when they found they could hold out no longer, set fire to their houses, and burnt themselves and their effects together." Newcome.

Ver. 5. Ashkelon shall see, &c.-that is, the Philistines, their neighbours, shall be alarmed and tremble.

Ver. 6. A bastard shall dwell in Ashdod-feb. "A stranger," or foreigner; Boothroyd, "A spurious race" of different nations; Newcome, "Sirangers.

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Ver. 7. His blood (Heb. "bloods") out of his mouth-that is, put an end to his idolatrous practices. "The netaphor (says Newcome) is taken from beasts of prey, who gorge themselves with blood." The heathen offered "drink offerings of

blood," mixed with wine; but these were absolutely forbidden to the Jews (Levit. vii. 26; Ps xvi. 4 and consequently to the heathen on their conversion See Orient. Lit. No. 752.

Ibid. He shall be for our God-that is, a convert to the God of Israel. As a governor-me that he shall be as a citizen of Jerusalem, entitiel even to fill its magistracy; but the Ekronite, of • tural born Philistine, should rank in Ashdod as a Jebusite did in Judah, that is, as an alien: so Blay Josephus mentions the conversion of many of the Philistines to Judaism. (Antiq. lib. xiii. xv. 4.

Ver. 8. Because of the army--Newcome, "With an army, so that none shall pass there;” namely, ne enemy.

Ver. 9. Thy king. This term is never applied Zerubbabel, who is only called governor.Haris salvation-that is, in himself; hence all the ascent versions render it" a Saviour." Compare Isa. İxii. 11. See this fulfilled, Matt, xxi. 8,9.

Ver. 10. I will cut off the chariot. - Israel was forbidden the employment of chariots and hors (Deut. xvii. 16); hence the Messiah came meekly riding upon an ass. Compare Hos. ii. 18.

Ver. II. As for thee also,-The feminine pronou limits this to the daughter of Zion; . e to the Jews, the covenant with whom, at Sinai, was ra fied by blood. Exod. xxiv. 6—8—Out of the pil, &c.-Pits, or caves, were commonly used for pris sometimes miry ones, Isa, xxiv. 22; Jer. xxxvui 6

Ver. 13. When I have bent Judah, &c.—A strong and sublime manner of expressing that God weald use Judah and Ephraim as his instruments of de struction" against Greece. Newcome.

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